Ford Syncs Smartphone App Development Tool

Ford Motor Co. is launching a free tool for smartphone app developers to encourage new features for the carmaker’s Sync 3 communications and entertainment system.

The Sync 3 AppLink Emulator software program allows developers to simulate and test how their app will work on a Sync 3 interface, including how it will be viewed by users on a vehicle's touchscreen. Ford expects the system to speed the development process, improve performance and spur even more new features and functions.

The software allows developers to set conditions such as vehicle speed, location, temperature and mileage, and test how the app responds to changes. Ford says the tool likely will be especially useful in emerging markets where software developers have limited access to Ford vehicles and the company’s Sync-in-a-box hardware development kits.

There are more than 15 million vehicles worldwide equipped with Sync systems, according to the company. It expects the total to nearly triple to 43 million vehicles by 2020.